Societal implications of sustainable energy action plans: from energy modelling to stakeholder learning

This article investigates the potential impact of sustainable energy action plans (SEAPs) on local development through a two-step methodology involving participatory planning and quantitative analysis. The first phase relies on a participatory system mapping (PSM) approach and generates a causal structure at the basis of the urban model. In the second phase, we transform the qualitative map into a system dynamic model which evaluates the effect of the SEAP on social, economic and environmental indicators. This methodology was applied to the case of Cascina Municipality (Italy). Through scenario analysis, we show that some indirect feedback can harm the achievement of the 20% emission reduction target. This process allows the local authority and stakeholders to evaluate the impact of emission reduction policies on CO₂ emissions and local development, thereby generating collective learning on the systemic implications of the plan. We show that this method can enhance the ambition of emission mitigation efforts by small towns.     

重庆市1997年-2005年生态足迹与发展能力实证分析

生态足迹是一种定量测量人类对自然资源利用程度的全新方法。在介绍了生态足迹的概念和生态足迹的模型与生态系统经济发展能力以及目前的研究成果基础上,根据1998年-2006年的《重庆市统计年鉴》的资料数据,对重庆市1997年-2005年的生态足迹进行了实证计算与分析,结果表明重庆市从1997年的人均生态足迹由1.096ha/cap增加到2005年底的1.635ha/cap,人均生态赤字由1997年的0.9000ha/cap增加到2005年的1.2742ha/cap,9年间的增幅为41,5％,平均每年为6.1％;通过人均GDP与发展能力的回归分析表明,生态系统的经济发展能力是一个很好的反映重庆市经济系统状况的指标。     

我国城市垃圾现状与可持续发展研究

首先分析我国城市垃圾问题的现状,介绍了我国目前城市垃圾处理技术,并对城市可持续发展垃圾治理问题进行了探讨。     

化学科学研究与环境保护的机理相关性

环境问题已经引起世界各国政府和全社会的广泛关注。环境保护是利用环境科学的理论和方法,协调人类与自然环境的关系,以保护和改善环境的一切人类活动的总称。本文将首先分析由化学物质引起环境污染的案例,进而给出进行环境友好型的化学科学研究的方法及其重要性,以及通过化学科学的不断发展来解决业已存在的环境污染问题。     

生态文明建设理论发展历程初探

生态文明建设理论以可持续发展、环境保护及生态学理论为基础,吸收了中国传统文化的养分,目前已成为中国特色社会主义道路的有机组成部分,得到了党和国家的高度重视.本文对生态文明建设理论的产生背景和过程进行了简单梳理.     

Spatial analysis of resources and environmental carrying capacity in Iran

Urbanization and mass movement of the population from rural areas and small cities to megacities have led to environmental, economic, and social problems in Iran. In dealing with these challenges, assessing resource and environmental carrying capacity (RECC) is considered an effective method to leverage space and capital to achieve sustainable development. This study aimed to rank the provincial RECC in Iran. Toward this purpose, environmental indices were generated from remotely sensed and statistical census data. Then, the provinces were scored in terms of environmental, economic, and infrastructural carrying capacities, and RECC using the mean variance analysis method. Results demonstrated that in most areas, there is no relationship between economic and infrastructural capacities and development. Statistically, a correlation coefficient of −0.53 between economic and environmental carrying capacities indicated excessive use of environmental capacities. Moreover, the spatial distribution pattern of environmental, economic, and infrastructural carrying capacity was entirely heterogeneous between the provinces; there was a northeast–southwest pattern in terms of infrastructural capacity and an economic pattern from north to south. The distribution pattern of RECC is most consistent with the environmental capacity, pointing at the high weight of the indicators of the RECC model. In conclusion, this research offers a new vision for policymakers and provides a theoretical and applicable framework for implementing sustainable strategies in land-use planning. It is recommended that the RECC concept and tools can be used not only for planning but also for measuring the efficiency of spatial development programs and establishing land balances in the region.     

Institutional quality,financial development and sustainable economic growth among lower income countries

This article postulates strong endogenous relationships in lower income countries between institutional quality, financial development and sustained economic growth. These associations were investigated using the vector-error correction model (VECM) and Granger causality method for a sample of 79 countries from 2005 to 2022. The findings show that (1) these variables reinforce each other in the short run. (2) In the long run, both institutional quality and financial development can fuel economic growth. (3) The positive effect of institutional quality on economic growth is greater than that of financial development. Policy implications of these findings are that careful attention should be paid to co-development policies to enhance the institutional quality and the financial system in these economies. Policies should also consider economic growth strategies to enable sustainable economic growth rates.     

How does eliminating mercury from artisanal and small-scale gold mining lead to achieving sustainable development goals?

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is the principal anthropogenic activity that globally contributes to overloading our environment with mercury. Although the Minamata Convention, led by the United Nations, is a crucial instrument to eliminate its use progressively, novel approaches to accelerate this difficult transition are welcome. This article proposes a framework for policy-making or improvement, fostering the enforcement of mercury elimination through the lens of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on the excluded artisanal and small-scale gold miners and their dependents. We move forward with a literature review of the Artisanal and Small Mining topic, taking each SDG as a unit of analysis. Understanding the problem as a puzzle of four sets of pieces, namely: (1) social, (2) environmental, (3) economic, and (4) institutional, the paper offers potential opportunities for the decision-makers and practitioners to accelerate the substitution of this heavy metal and develop sustainable futures for the ASGM communities. We conclude by proposing a pragmatic framework that synthesizes the means, actions, and ends to accelerate a sustainable transition.     

保护农业生态环境促进可持续发展

农业生态环境是农业综合生产力的重要基础，后者的主要内容和结构对前者有具大的制约作用。在农业生态环境继续恶化的形势下，必须确立农业生态保护战略，切实加强农业生态环境的建设和管理，才能提高农业综合生产力水平，促进经济的可持续发展。     

Current status and trends of the environmental performance in European ports

This paper investigates the current status and trends over time in the environmental performance of European ports. The research is based on the provision of data from 79 European ports on issues related to their environmental management, environmental priorities and current environmental monitoring practices. This study updates previous environmental reviews, so that the trends over time are drawn. For instance, 90% of respondent ports stated that they have an environmental policy and 94% of ports have designated environmental personnel. The percentage of ports that have an Environmental Management System has increased by +33% in the last 9 years. Air quality, port waste and energy consumption emerged as the three major environmental priorities of the European port sector in 2013. The research also reveals the diversity amongst European ports in terms of size and physical surroundings. Some examples are presented on specific initiatives carried out by sector organisations about the Top-10 port priority issues. The future expectations of European ports on data collection and reporting are described.